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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Argentine's workload being managed</li><li>Sat out dramatic clash with FC Dallas</li><li>Ready for semi-final action in midweek</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n" rel="sponsored"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'He’s good' - Latest Lionel Messi absence explained as Inter Miami lose unbeaten MLS record after resting Argentine icon

FIFA Club World Cup

Al Ahly SC

Inter Miami CF

<p>The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner played no part in a dramatic clash with FC Dallas at Chase Stadium. The Herons led that contest 3-1 at one stage, but <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/inter-miami-player-ratings-vs-fc-dallas-undefeated-in-mls-no-more-herons-collapse-at-home-as-lionel-messi-barcelona-veterans-watch-from-the-sidelines/blt056310756e3f835b" target="_blank">three goals in the space of 17 minutes turned the tie on its head</a>.</p><div class="affiliate-button-container theme-1" data-name="Apple TV"><div class="affiliate-button"><img class="logo" height="40" width="72" src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2de198b67da95a2e/65709d2436cf7d0407034ef9/Apple_TV.png" style="width: 72px; height: 40px;"><span class="affiliate-text">Get the MLS Season Pass today!</span></div><a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=goal_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l39UY" class="affiliate-button-link" target="_blank">Stream games now</a></div>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Inter Miami have <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/believe-in-this-team-more-than-ever-javier-mascherano-takes-responsibility-for-the-loss-against-dallas-as-miami-rests-top-players-and-ends-mls-unbeaten-streak/blt4a1b4565795c5678" target="_blank">lost their unbeaten record in MLS this season</a>, with Messi taking in regular breaks from competitive action. Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets also sat out the meeting with Dallas.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Messi’s <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/why-luis-suarez-playing-lionel-messi-rested-inter-miami-selection-calls-explained-ex-barcelona-superstars-treated-differently-mls/blt8d9b2e957c15341c" target="_blank">game time has been carefully managed</a> as the Argentine has been nursing muscle problems. The all-time great is, however, clear of any injuries at present and should be raring to go for the second leg of a CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-final tie with the Vancouver Whitecaps.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Mascherano told reporters when asked about his talismanic captain: “Leo is good. Obviously we decided, like many of our team-mates, to reserve him after the game against Vancouver where we had to travel for six to seven hours and play on synthetic grass. But he's good, he trained today so he's ready.”</p>

WHAT JAVIER MASCHERANO SAID

<p>Inter Miami will need Messi to be at his best when the Whitecaps pay a visit to South Florida on Wednesday. That is because they <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/inter-miami-player-ratings-vs-vancouver-whitecaps-lionel-messi-and-co-stunned-by-usmnt-hopeful-brian-white-in-concacaf-champions-cup-semifinal-leg-1/blt6fcf18654293d970" target="_blank">trail that contest 2-0 on aggregate</a> and are in danger of seeing a first piece of silverware in 2025 slip out of reach.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

'He’s good' - Latest Lionel Messi absence explained as Inter Miami lose unbeaten MLS record after resting Argentine icon | Goal.com

Inter Miami boss Javier Mascherano says Lionel Messi is feeling “good” after being rested again in MLS.

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